Winding River Resort
Location1447 Co Rd 491, Grand Lake, CO 80447
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PDF Map
Trail Map
The generic map they give you when you check in is not very useful. It does not have the trails labeled and there are lots of trail forks that are not shown on this map.
Gaia was a lot more helpful. Gaia also did not show all of the trail forks and the pink trail on the left was not shown on Gaia.
Resort Fees
The cost of accomodation varied for horse sites, hookups, cabins or the teepees or wagons. There was a 3 night minimum.
Daily horse boarding fees:
Daily horse boarding fees:
- $20 per horse run (1 horse)
- $30 per covered horse run (1 horse)
- $5 per one additional horse (maximum 2 horses per run)
- Barns runs cannot be split for 2 horses.
Human and Horse Accommodations
The horse sites in the south part of the picture were more shaded and in the pine trees. Sites 77-87 were more open and not as pretty. Site 65 was right next to a manure bin. Alternatively site 65 was at least a 5 minute walk to the restrooms and shower. There was a large arena and round pen available to use. We visited after a snow and the arena was pretty muddy. Yvonne did let Echo roll in the arena and it is a fun place to turn your horse out if the footing is dry. If you want full hook ups I would recommend sites 92-94 or E, F or G. The other full hook up sites at the end of the park are barren with no trees and are pretty ugly and close to their neighbors. The cabins are a long walk away from the stand alone horse corrals but may be more comfortable.
Stand Alone Horse Corrals
Corrals 5-10 were not associated with a campsite but could be used by any campers. The large corrals were divided into two compartments and even one side was large enough for 2 horses. According to Winding River each corral was 16 x 32 feet. When we visted in September of 2020 the corrals were packed! It was so fun to talk to all the other riders!
We reserved site #65. We managed to fit 2 trucks and horse trailers. Site 65 was right next to the manure pile. I had to park in front of the horse corrals but some of the sites were arranged so you pulled in next to the horse corral.
One thing about the double corrals. There was only one gate so to reach the second horse you had to walk through the first horse's corral! This may have been fine with normal horses but Sam wanted to get into everyone's business as they walked through the first corral.
It was nice to have the manure trailer right by our site. Winding River even provided a wheelbarrow and one water bucket!
We walked down to check out the arena and roundpen but the footing was too muddy after the recent snow to use it for riding or turn-out.
The ranch was much more of a resort than a campground. There was a playground and tennis court as well as a petting zoo by the stable.
Mounting
We mostly mounted from the ground or from the picnic tables.
Footing
The trails to the east had soft footing and our horses were comfortable barefoot or with hoof boots. Going west toward the atv trail I highly recommend shoes or hoof boots. Sam was very sad when his hoof boots fell off.
Horse Hazards
The trails are extremely horse friendly. We saw elk, deer and moose and our horses did very well. On the Stock trail we rode close to the road in places and traffic was very slow and cautious when they saw our horses.
Trail Options
River to Valley Trail - Light orange, 6 miles
Viewpoint Trail - Pink, 2.5 miles
River to Green Mountain Trailhead - Orange, 7 miles
Stock Trail to KVC Trail - Purple, 6 miles
Viewpoint Trail - Pink, 2.5 miles
River to Green Mountain Trailhead - Orange, 7 miles
Stock Trail to KVC Trail - Purple, 6 miles
Rating
Amazing! I loved staying right next to my horse and the trails were beautiful, amazing, easy and peaceful! This may be my favorite place to horse camp. There are flush toilets, showers and even a camp store. We did not even scratch the surface of the possible trails. I would love to go back and do the big loop to Big Meadows from Tonahutu Creek. You can even ride south to reach another trailhead or trailer out to more trailheads closeby.